Monitoring the Session

HB 4630

Kitzman’s bill trimming artesian well law

Became law

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Stan KitzmanRHouse 85

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the regulation of artesian water wells by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Several sections repealed. Remaining rules apply only outside groundwater districts.

The bill repeals several sections of the state water law on artesian wells, including Section 11.203, and removes the offense for violating that section from the penalty list. It also says the remaining artesian well rules apply only to wells drilled outside a groundwater conservation district, subsidence district, or similar district that can regulate wells, except for two listed sections. Owners and drillers of artesian wells inside those local districts fall under local rules instead of these state rules, and the state rules left in place cover fewer wells and fewer duties.

Labels

Labels: INSTANT LAW. Took effect immediately, on Jun 20, 2025. 833 of the 1,185 graded 89R laws took effect Sep 1, 2025 (derived from the bill histories, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB4630 · 2025-03-12

SOLD BY

Rep. Stan KitzmanRHouse 85

ITEM

relating to the regulation of artesian water wells by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

WHAT IT DOES

Several sections repealed. Remaining rules apply only outside groundwater districts.

The bill repeals several sections of the state water law on artesian wells, including Section 11.203, and removes the offense for violating that section from the penalty list. It also says the remaining artesian well rules apply only to wells drilled outside a groundwater conservation district, subsidence district, or similar district that can regulate wells, except for two listed sections. Owners and drillers of artesian wells inside those local districts fall under local rules instead of these state rules, and the state rules left in place cover fewer wells and fewer duties.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 22, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Natural Resources
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  7. Left pending in committee
  8. Considered in formal meeting
  9. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  10. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  11. Committee report distributed
  12. Committee report sent to Calendars
  13. Considered in Calendars
  14. Placed on General State Calendar
  15. Read 2nd time
  16. Passed to engrossment
  17. Record vote RV#2794
  18. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  19. Read 3rd time
  20. Passed
  21. Record vote RV#2899
  22. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  23. Reported engrossed
  24. Received from the House
  25. Read first time
  26. Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
  27. Posting rule suspended
  28. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  29. Considered in public hearing
  30. Testimony taken in committee
  31. Vote taken in committee
  32. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  33. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  34. Committee report printed and distributed
  35. Corrected comm. report printed & distributed
  36. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  37. Laid before the Senate
  38. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  39. Vote recorded in Journal
  40. Three day rule suspended
  41. Record vote
  42. Read 3rd time
  43. Passed
  44. Record vote
  45. Senate passage reported
  46. Reported enrolled
  47. Signed in the House
  48. Signed in the Senate
  49. Sent to the Governor
  50. Signed by the Governor
  51. Effective immediately
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 121 yea · 0 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 16, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 28, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Stan Kitzman

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$379KTexas Conservative Majority PAC$185KDustin Burrows Campaign$181K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Sep 12, 2024 to Mar 31, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$379,106.03

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$379,106.03

Cash
$80,000.00
Paid by others
$299,106.03
Total
$379,106.03
advertising $207,065.75mail $59,366.28postage $23,324.00polling $9,100.00fundraiser $250.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Sep 20, 2024 to Mar 3, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100987005, 101009650, 101030501, 101036694, 101039989, 101060343.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$184,927.23

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$184,927.23

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$184,927.23
Total
$184,927.23
mail $105,296.00canvassing $35,000.00Other filed descriptions $24,666.67texting $11,846.56advertising $8,118.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 2, 2026 to Mar 2, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101039989, 101060343.

Dustin Burrows Campaign$181,250.00

Dustin Burrows Campaign

$181,250.00

Cash
$80,000.00
Paid by others
$101,250.00
Total
$181,250.00
media $50,000.00digital $38,400.00polling $9,800.00Other filed descriptions $3,050.00

Also funds 39 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 1, 2025 to Mar 1, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101030501, 101036694, 101039989, 101060343.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$379,106.03

Cash
$80,000.00
Paid by others
$299,106.03
Total
$379,106.03
advertising $207,065.75mail $59,366.28postage $23,324.00polling $9,100.00fundraiser $250.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Sep 20, 2024 to Mar 3, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100987005, 101009650, 101030501, 101036694, 101039989, 101060343.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$184,927.23

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$184,927.23
Total
$184,927.23
mail $105,296.00canvassing $35,000.00Other filed descriptions $24,666.67texting $11,846.56advertising $8,118.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 2, 2026 to Mar 2, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101039989, 101060343.

×

Dustin Burrows Campaign

$181,250.00

Cash
$80,000.00
Paid by others
$101,250.00
Total
$181,250.00
media $50,000.00digital $38,400.00polling $9,800.00Other filed descriptions $3,050.00

Also funds 39 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 1, 2025 to Mar 1, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101030501, 101036694, 101039989, 101060343.

Votes5

Senate May 28, 2025

Final passage

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

HB 4630 (Perry) Relating to the regulation of artesian water wells by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Suspension of the three-day rule

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records suspension of the three-day rule. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

HB 4630 (Perry) Relating to the regulation of artesian water wells by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Passage to third reading

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to third reading. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

HB 4630 (Perry) Relating to the regulation of artesian water wells by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 16, 2025

Yea
121
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
6
Excused
21
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2899

HB 4630 was passed by (Record 2899): 121 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 121 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 6 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 21 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 15, 2025

Yea
134
Nay
2
Present, not voting
1
Absent
8
Excused
5
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2794

HB 4630 was passed to engrossment by (Record 2794): 134 Yeas, 2 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 134 (published)
  • Nay: 2 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 8 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 5 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses12
For
9
Against
1
On
2
Names

For

  • Groundwater conservation district clients of the firm.1 registration
  • Middle Trinity GCD, Clearwater UWCD, Central Texas GCD, North Texas GCD, Middle Pecos GCD1 registration
  • Middle Trinity GCD, Clearwater UWCD, Middle Pecos GCD, North Texas GCD, Northern Trinity GCD, Central Texas GCD1 registration
  • Self; Groundwater Conservation District clients of the firm.1 registration
  • Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts2 registrations
  • Upper Trinity GCD, Prairielands GCD, Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District1 registration
  • Upper Trinity GCD; Prairielands GCD; Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District1 registration
  • Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District1 registration

Against

  • Self1 registration

On

  • TCEQ1 registration
  • Texas Commission on Environmental Quality1 registration
Sources

12 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 22, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Mar 12, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective immediately

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors
Charles PerryRSenate 28

House committee · Natural Resources · Committee vote 13 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Senate committee · Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs · Committee vote 8 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Subjects

Environment--Water

Special Districts & Authorities--Miscellaneous

Water--Development

Water--General

Water--Rights

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, TEXAS COMMISSION ON

Text

The text as introduced · 280 words

89R16124 KRM-F

By: Kitzman
H.B. No. 4630

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the regulation of artesian water wells by the Texas

Commission on Environmental Quality.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 7.142(a) and (b), Water Code, are

amended to read as follows:

(a) A person commits an offense if the person violates:

(1) Section 11.081;

(2) Section 11.083;

(3) Section 11.084;

(4) Section 11.087;

(5) Section 11.088;

(6) Section 11.089;

(7) Section 11.090;

(8) Section 11.091;

(9) Section 11.092;

(10) Section 11.093;

(11) Section 11.094;

(12) Section 11.096; or

(13) [ Section 11.203; or

[ (14) ] Section 11.205.

(b) An offense under Subsection (a)(9), (a)(10), or (a)(13)

[ (a)(14) ] is punishable under Section 7.187(a)(1)(A) or (2)(B)

[ Section 7.187(1)(A) or Section 7.187(2)(B) ] or both.

SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 11, Water Code, is amended

by adding Section 11.2011 to read as follows:

Sec. 11.2011. APPLICABILITY. This subchapter, other than

Sections 11.202(c) and 11.206, applies only to an artesian well

drilled outside the boundaries of a groundwater conservation

district, subsidence district, or other conservation and

reclamation district with the authority to regulate the drilling,

spacing, or production of water wells.

SECTION 3. The following provisions of the Water Code are

repealed:

(1) Sections 11.202(d) and (e);

(2) Section 11.203;

(3) Section 11.204; and

(4) Section 11.207.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.